RIYADH, 9 April 2006 — Diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand are likely to be normalized soon, according to a Thai diplomat.
“We feel optimistic that relations will get back on track in the near future,” Thai Charge d’Affaires Suvat Hanafi told Arab News.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were strong until the late 1980s. At that time, Riyadh asked Bangkok to provide details of the murder of four Saudi diplomats and the disappearance of Saudi businessmen and stolen jewelry.
“The new Thai government has shown its good intentions and offered to cooperate fully with the Kingdom in order to correct earlier mistakes,” Hanafi said.
Since 2002, joint efforts have been made by the two sides to reach a compromise and normalize the relations. “Both sides have made gradual progress and the Saudis are satisfied. We’re extremely optimistic that the relations will become normal in the near future,” said Hanafi.
“The Thai government recently announced that a policeman involved in stealing jewelry belonging to a Saudi prince had been sentenced to death,” Hanafi said.
The Thai diplomat stressed that the Saudi Embassy in Bangkok had remained operational. “Its missions have also been, and are still, most welcome in Thailand,” he said.
Asked about Thai Muslim minorities, he said: “They are free to practice their religion and they have the same rights as any Thai national.”
Concerning bilateral trade, Hanafi said the volume of Thai imports from the Kingdom reached about $5 billion and exports $1 billion in 2005. “This increase in trade could help bridge the gap between the two countries,” he said.
“Last year, the first delegation from our sector organizations paid a visit to Riyadh and met Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Abdur Rahman Al-Jeraisy. The two sides were satisfied and are looking forward to having further commercial cooperation and exchanges,” he added.
Hanafi said the Saudi Embassy in Bangkok was very cooperative and had helped in expediting visa applications, especially for Thai pilgrims. More than 10,000 Thai Muslims perform Haj annually.
“We hope Saudis will begin traveling to Thailand as they did in the past,” Hanafi said, adding that Saudis could get a 15-day visa upon arrival.
